Ryan Honored for Commitment to Conservation

On Saturday, April 21^st, Dr. Pete Ryan of Coudersport was given the “Howie Gustafson Conservation Award” from the Seneca Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the McKean County Conservation District. The award was presented to Pete by Howie Gustafson, the award’s original recipient in 2010. Upon presenting the award to Dr. Ryan, Howie stated “I cannot think of a more deserving person to pass this award onto.”

Dr. Ryan has been an active conservationist for over 30 years. He currently serves as President of the God’s Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited and was instrumental in the design and implementation of a local stream monitoring program. Volunteers participating in the monitoring program have been referred to as the “waterdogs.” Rightfully so, as Pete and the others are out to gather important baseline data on pristine trout streams in light of all the increased drilling activity in Pennsylvania. In the mid 1980’s he also recognized the threat of sedimentation from dirt roads, worked with Penn State to create a list of threatened spots, and lobbied in Harrisburg. His efforts were successful by getting a portion of the gas tax committed for funding dirt and gravel road improvement projects. Both of these programs are commonly utilized across the state.

Pete is also credited with the success of the God’s Country Chapter of TU Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program. This program is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled veterans and active duty military personnel through fly fishing, fly tying and outings.

Dr. Ryan was honored to receive the award named after one of his conservation mentors. As he thanked the group he said “Howie has been a great help to me and my involvement in conservation. I have received several awards in the past, but this one is the best.”